Page 92 of She’ll Steal Your Heart
“I broke up with her after you robbed the bar,” Eve told her. “I panicked and broke both our hearts in the process, but when I came to my senses, she forgave me, just like she forgave you. The least I can do is extend you the same courtesy.”
“Thank you,” Lauren said quietly.
Eve held her drink toward Lauren. “To new beginnings.”
“New beginnings.” Lauren lifted her own drink and took a sip.
Josie came bursting out of the back hallway. “Ready?”
“Sure,” Lauren said, and there was a funny tingle in her belly, because what in the world was Josie up to?
“Is she almost done on that call?” Josie gestured to Mia, who held up a finger in acknowledgement. “When I found out about your fan fiction and how you and Mia met through theIn Her Defensefandom, I couldn’t resist.” Josie’s smile was pure glee.
“Resist what?” Lauren asked, drawing a blank on what Josie could possibly mean.
Mia ended her call and walked over to join them. “What’s going on?”
“You’re about to find out.” Josie’s eyes sparkled mischievously. “Come on in!” she called.
Piper Sheridan walked into the room, and Lauren slid right off her barstool. If Mia hadn’t grabbed her, she’d have ended up on the floor. Piper’s hair was down, glossy red waves falling over her shoulders, andoh God, she was so pretty, and she was here, in Dragonfly, walking toward Lauren with a wide smile on her face.
Lauren just stared. Her face was hot, and her body tingled with shock.
“Surprise,” Josie said, clapping excitedly.
“Oh my God,” Lauren croaked. Her heart was hammering in her chest, and there was a bubbly sensation in her stomach like it was filled with confetti.
“Hi,” Piper said. “You must be Lauren.”
“Hi,” Lauren managed. Were her lips numb? Her lips were numb. And they were shaking. “What…how…”
“Did I not mention that I know Piper?” Josie asked, sounding absolutely delighted with herself.
Lauren shook her head, feeling a bit like she was having an out-of-body experience.
“I met my fiancée in this bar.” Piper gestured to the blonde beside her, who Lauren somehow hadn’t even noticed until this moment.
“I’m Chloe.” She introduced herself with a friendly wave. “The fiancée.”
“Hi,” Lauren said, sounding embarrassingly breathless.
“When Piper and I were first dating, a friend of mine sent me the link to a Clairantha fanfic calledSkin Deep,” Chloe said. “Piper and I both read it. Well, I think she skipped some parts…”
“The sex scenes,” Piper said apologetically. “Felt weird since Sam is essentially me, you know?”
“Oh,” Lauren gasped, and she wasdefinitelyhaving an out-of-body experience, because Piper Sheridan was standing in front of her, telling her she’d read her fanfic, and this wasnother real life.
“Anyway, I love that fic, and when Josie told us who you are, I asked her to set aside a copy of your new book for us,” Chloe said. “Congrats on that, by the way.”
“Thank you,” Lauren breathed.
“She’s usually a lot more eloquent than this,” Mia said, giving Lauren a playful squeeze. “I think you’ve officially blown her fangirl mind. I’m Mia, Lauren’s girlfriend.”
“Nice to meet you, Mia.” Piper stepped forward and shook Mia’s hand.
“I’m a huge fan as well,” Mia told her, as composed as Lauren was starstruck. “In fact, your show is what brought Lauren and me together.”
Piper smiled widely. “Oh, I love that.”
